Thunder in the Valley
Thunder in the Valley is the annual 1/4 mile drag race held on the 1st weekend in August, for 8 consecutive years. Just a 15 minute drive from The Hummingbird. The air at the Alberni Valley airport fills with smoke from the tires. There's ear-splitting noise from over-powered engines. And excited 8,000 fans that are never disappointed! Racers from the whole Pacific Northwest come to show their stuff!
310 racers registered for the 2009 event with Chilliwack's Dale Carlson posting the fastest speed of 247.5 miles per hour in the Hugh Ridley Team's top alcohol dragster, completing the 1/4 mile in a blistering 5.82 seconds. And the Door Slammer class is always a fan favourite!
Directions to Thunder in the Alberni Valley
The drag races are held at the Port Alberni Regional Airport, located approximately 7 kilometers west on Hwy 4, from your home away from home, The Hummingbird. There's also ample parking at The Hummingbird, in a secured back yard, for your race car and trailer if you wish to come a few days early or stay for the fishing and do some sight-seeing. It's also convenient for fans who wish to come and go from the track during the day. Turn off Highway 4 at the Regional Airport sign on Coleman Road just past the Sproat River Bridge. Follow the paved Coleman Road for approximately 2 kilometers to the airport.
